What Is Water Cremation?

Water Cremation: Understanding This Eco-Friendly Funeral Option

Water Cremation is a term you may have seen in the media, especially as eco-friendly funerals gain interest across the world.

Although this process is not yet legal in the UK, people are becoming more curious about it. Sometimes you will hear it called aquamation, resomation or alkaline hydrolysis, but each name refers to the same basic method.

Because Water Cremation is already permitted in several countries, it is likely to continue attracting attention. This guide explains what it involves, how it works, its potential environmental benefits and why it is currently unavailable in the UK.

What Exactly Is Water Cremation?

A Gentle, Water-Based Alternative

Water Cremation uses a mixture of warm water and alkaline solution to break down the body naturally. The process takes place inside a sealed stainless-steel chamber, where controlled heat and water flow gently speed up natural decomposition.

Unlike flame cremation, which relies on extremely high temperatures, Water Cremation uses far lower heat. This is one of the reasons it is often described as a more environmentally considerate option.

For further background, you can read the well-established overview.

A Growing Global Practice

Although still new to many people, Water Cremation is already approved in parts of North America, South Africa and some regions of Australia. Its growing acceptance abroad is part of the reason it is now being discussed more widely in Europe.

How Does Water Cremation Work?

While the exact process can vary depending on the equipment used, Water Cremation usually involves the following steps.

Step 1: Preparation of the Chamber

The body is placed in a watertight steel chamber. The chamber is filled with a mixture of water and a small percentage of alkaline solution—usually potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide.

Step 2: Circulation and Heating

The chamber is gently heated to a temperature typically around 150°C. This is far below the temperatures used in flame cremation. Water circulates through the chamber, helping to break down organic material in a natural way.

Step 3: Completion of the Process

After several hours, only soft bone ash and a sterile liquid remain. The liquid contains natural breakdown products such as amino acids and sugars, which are environmentally safe.

Step 4: Returning the Ashes

The remaining bone ash is dried, processed into a fine powder and returned to the family in an urn, much like ashes from a flame cremation.

Why Are People Interested in Water Cremation?

Reduced Environmental Impact

As concerns grow about carbon emissions and energy consumption, Water Cremation is often promoted as a cleaner alternative. It does not produce smoke, mercury emissions from dental fillings or significant greenhouse gases.

Energy Efficiency

Because the process operates at much lower temperatures, it uses less energy overall. Some early studies suggest it may reduce emissions substantially compared with flame cremation.

A Natural and Gentle Method

Many people like the idea of a water-based process because it feels calm and more closely aligned with natural decomposition. This emotional aspect plays a meaningful role in why families might choose it if it were available.

Is Water Cremation Legal in the UK?

Current Legal Position

Despite growing interest, Water Cremation is not currently legal in the UK nor are similar alternatives of Bio Cremation.

The process is not covered by existing cremation laws, and regulatory frameworks have not yet been adapted to include it. As a result, UK crematoria cannot offer it, even if they have the technology.

Could This Change?

Possibly. Environmental groups, funeral professionals and several councils have expressed interest in reviewing the regulations.

As green funeral options become more mainstream, this type of Cremation may be reconsidered in future years. However, no official timeline has been announced.

What Are the Alternatives in the UK Right Now?

While Water Cremation is not available, families can still make environmentally thoughtful choices, such as:

• Woodland or natural burial grounds
• Direct cremation, which reduces energy use
• Biodegradable urns or ashes scatter tubes
• Living memorials, such as planting a tree
• Low-emission crematoria, now increasingly common

Each option offers its own balance of sustainability, tradition and personal meaning.

FAQs About Water Cremation